When even God’s believers suffer for ignoring moral instructions, the Gita reiterates that He exists and is fair, writes Ajit Kumar Bishnoi
The verse # 18.66 has been misinterpreted over the years. What does it really stateIJ To understand this verse, we must go to the beginning of the Gita when Arjuna presents many arguments in order not to participate in the Mahabharata War. He begins, “I see only adverse consequences, I do not foresee anything favourable by killing my own people in the battle. (1.31) And I neither desire victory nor kingdom and nor pleasures. What benefit is there for us in ruling and from enjoyments or even from being aliveIJ (1.32) For whom we desire kingdom, enjoyments and pleasures, they themselves having given up wealth and hope for their lives are all present in the battle. (1.33)
Teachers, uncles, sons and similarly grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law and other relatives are all here. (1.34) Even for the kingdom of the three worlds I, though being killed, do not wish to kill these relatives. Then, what of the earthIJ 1.35) What pleasure would there be for us by killing the sons of DhrtarashtraIJ By killing these aggressions, we will commit sin only. (1.36) Therefore, it is not proper to kill the sons of Dhrtarashtra along with their relatives. Because how can we be happy by killing our kinsmenIJ (1.37) Even though these people having consciousness dented by greed, do not see the harm to be caused by the destruction of the family and also the sin in being inimical to friends…. (1.38)
Why shouldn’t we, having the wisdom to see the harm in destruction of the family, decide to avoid this sinIJ (1.39) Upon the destruction of the family, sacrosanct family values are destroyed, and upon destruction of the values, immorality becomes predominant in the entire family. (1.40) Due to the predominance of immorality, the women of the family get corrupted. Due to the corruption of the women, illicit progeny results. (1.41) And the illicit progeny – the destroyers of the family are instrumental in sending the family to hell only. Because due to the non-observance of the ritual of offering food and water to them, the ancestors fall down. (1.42)
Due to these faults of the destroyers of the family, that is giving birth to the illicit, the long-standing family values and caste-based duties are destroyed. (1.43) We have heard that there is a long stay in hell for men, who are destroyers of the family values. (1.44) Oh! It is sad that we, who are bent upon killing our own kinsmen due to the lure of the pleasures of ruling, are ready to commit a great sin. (1.45)
Arjuna is genuinely afraid of a severe backlash if he did go ahead and fought and killed. Specifically, he spoke of committing sin in various ways like if he killed the sons of Dhrtarashtra (1.36), in being inimical to friends (1.38), in destruction of the family (1.39) and by killing own kinsmen due to the lure of the pleasures of ruling. (1.45) He spoke of destruction of sacrosanct family values. (1.40) He was afraid of causing immortality upon destruction of the family values (1.40), and its predominance, which causes the women of the family to get corrupted. (1.41) Arjuna was also afraid of causing illicit progeny. (1.42) He was afraid of non-observance of the ritual of offering food and water to ancestors. (1.42) Arjuna spoke specifically of violating ‘kula dharma’ (family values) (1.43) and ‘jaati dharma’ (caste-based duties) (1.43). lastly, he was afraid of a long stay in hell. (1.44)
In the verse # 18.66, lord Krishna tells Arjuna that Arjuna should leave all dharmas and take His shelter only. That lord Krishna will release Arjuna from all sins. Arjuna should not worry. This was meant for Arjuna and him alone and the lord was specifically referring to all the dharmas Arjuna was referring to in earlier verses. The lord was not assuring Arjuna of being forgiven for all violations of dharma that Arjuna may have done earlier. In fact, lord was not granting Arjuna a full reprieve of all sins done earlier by him.
The same logic can be extended though to us as well. The lord assures that His devotees never perish. Such a person will be punished but will come through because the punishment will be measured.
Bishnoi is a spiritual writer and can be reached at spiritual@ajitbishnoi.com